steadied start and behind, headway halfway, went 2nd at 11th, led after 2 out, soon ridden, headed and no extra near finish
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, led 9th, headed after 2 out, soon ridden, rallied to lead near finish
hit 1st, mid-division, blundered 3rd, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on well flat, not reached leaders
tracked leader until lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, pushed along half way, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden 2 out, stayed on from last
in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
reluctant to race, whipped round and unseated rider soon after start
mid-division, outpaced and blundered 3 out, soon weakened.
led, mistake 8th, headed next, outpaced when blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Adolphus gets the call here, with Natural, Swiftway and Donnybrook all expected to figure in proceedings. Adolphus only managed to score once when trained in Ireland, and left Tony Martin after finishing fourth to Palouse at Wincanton last October. Although he was a beaten favourite between the flags last time, the return to fences could well rekindle his enthusiasm, and he may well pay to follow. Swiftway won well at Musselburgh, stopping Coole Abbey from landing that event for a fourth time in the process, but the ground was much faster, and he has since been well beaten at Kelso. Natural kept on well when scoring at Carlisle, but will do well to add to that under his big weight, while of the rest, Donnybrook will find this easier than when well down the field behind Katarino at Aintree, and can make a bid for the frame also, but now that Adolphus has settled in at Clive Storey's, he should justify connections' faith in him.
Bohemian Spirit (IRE) 3-1 unseated rider in race won by Coomakista at Corbridge 3m ptp gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Natural (IRE) 14-1 Tracked leader, challenged 9th, led next, ridden 2 out, drifted left under pressure flat, kept on, won at Carlisle 3m hts chs (H) hvy in Apr beating Lord O'All Seasons by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Swiftway 7-2fav In touch, led and hit 2nd, headed 13th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 39l behind Monty's Quest at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) gs in Apr.
Adolphus (IRE) Evensfav 4th of 9, 36l behind Natiain at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Donnybrook (IRE) 100-1 Towards rear, headway and mistake 10th (Becher's), weakened 13th, behind when hampered 14th, 11th of 30, well behind Katarino at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (B) gs in Apr.
Orleans (IRE) 10-1 pulled up in race won by Wynyard Dancer at Easingwold 3m ptp gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Sparkey Smith (IRE) 8-1 2nd of 5, 5l behind Bay Magic at Friars Haugh 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Whitley Grange Boy 4-1 pulled up in race won by Birkdale at Mordon 3m ptp gd in Mar, 8 ran.
